LGBTQ Youth Summits 2017

City-wide Events for LGBTQ+ youth in Every NYC Borough

For the second year, Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit serving LGBTQ youth and their families, is overseeing a citywide LGBTQ youth mental health initiative called “HMI GOES CITYWIDE,” designed to decrease LGBTQ youth isolation by connecting young people to appropriately and thoughtfully designed community services. HMI is implementing this citywide initiative in partnership with Melissa Mark-Viverito, Speaker of the NYC Council, initiative champion Carlos Menchaca, City Council Member, and the LGBT Caucus of the NYC Council.

The Citywide Initiative reaches out to youth in their own communities through borough-based LGBTQ Youth Summits, where youth from each borough can participate in a safe and supportive event, learn from workshops, share their stories, and gain information and connections to vital community service providers. Last year HMI conducted five LGBTQ Youth Summits, one in each borough, that served over 500 young people aged 13-24.

In response to community need and to build on the success of last year’s LGBTQ Youth Summits, in FY2017 HMI will conduct five more borough-based Summits. Like last year, HMI will again partner with at least 70 community-based agencies across the city, to provide LGBTQ youth – especially youth of color, homeless youth, and court-involved youth – comprehensive, life-saving mental health care.